Application deadlines
Please check the deadlines below very carefully, because they are strict. Missing one of the deadlines means that your application cannot be processed.
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I have a Dutch nationality
Register in Studielink (see step 2 of the application process)
8 May 2024, 23:59 CETSubmit complete application (see step 4)
15 May 2024, 23:59 CET -
I have an EU/EEA-nationality
If you wish to apply for housing
Register in Studielink (see step 2 of the application process)
23 February 2024, 23:59 CETSubmit complete application (see step 4)
1 March 2024, 23:59 CET
If you do NOT wish to apply for housing
Register in Studielink (see step 2 of the application process)
8 May 2024, 23:59 CETSubmit complete application (see step 4)
15 May 2024, 23:59 CET -
I have a non-EU/EEA nationality
Register in Studielink (see step 2 of the application process)
23 February 2024, 23:59 CETSubmit complete application (see step 4)
1 March 2024, 23:59 CETIf you are interested in a scholarship, you need to apply for both the Master's programme and the scholarship before 15 January, and register in Studielink by 8 January. Learn more at:
Application process
Please make sure to follow the steps of the application process carefully to ensure that your application can be processed.
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1. Check entry requirements
The Philosophy of the Humanities and the Social Sciences programme is open to students with:
- a Bachelor's degree in Philosophy from an accredited research university ;
- A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited research university taken in the field of the social sciences or the humanities, which includes a (relevant) minor in Philosophy worth 30 ECTS and a Philosophy of Science module.
You can also register with a university Bachelor’s degree other than the ones specified above. The Examinations Board will then look at the specifics of your Bachelor’s degree, your grade point averages and your Bachelor’s thesis, as well as your motivation. It is possible that the Examinations Board will set the admission requirement that you must first complete the pre-Master’s programme, provided you are eligible for this.
Pre-Master's programme
If you do not meet the entry requirements above, you you might be eligible to eliminate your deficiencies by completing the pre-Master’s programme in Philosophy of the Humanities and Social Sciences first. Please note that this pre-Master's programme is not intended for students with a degree from a Dutch University of Applied Sciences (HBO). The Admissions Board will determine if your academic background is sufficient for admission to the (pre-)Master’s programme. Admission to the (pre-)Master’s programme is not guaranteed.
Financial assistance for students
If you do the two-year Philosophy of the Humanities and the Social Sciences programme, you are entitled to a fifth year of financial assistance for students, provided you meet the general conditions for receiving financial assistance for students and you have done a three-year Bachelor’s degree.
For more information, please see the Education Executive Agency (Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs, DUO) website and the tab ‘Een master gaan doen’ (information in Dutch only):
English language requirements
New Master's students should be able to speak, read, write and understand English at an advanced academic level. Please check carefully on the page below whether:
- you already meet the English language requirements based on your prior education; or
- you need to arrange to take an official English language test. If you have serious reasons to believe you should be exempted from taking an official English language test, you will need to file a strongly motivated, official exemption request at the Graduate School of Humanities’ Examinations Board. Please note that there is a strict deadline in place for such a request, which is one month prior to the Master's application deadline.
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2. Register in Studielink
All students applying will need to start their application by submitting an enrolment request in Studielink, the Dutch online system for students applying for a degree programme at a Dutch university.
Applicants for Philosophy of the Humanities and the Social Sciences need to register in Studielink for Filosofie 120 EC or Philosophy 120 EC. For this specific programme, it is also necessary to register for your non-philosophical Master's programme.
It is extremely important that you register in Studielink at least 48 hours before the application deadline. This is to ensure that you receive your login information (UvAnetID) in time to fill in your UvA application in MyInfo (see next step).
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3. Pay the application fee (international students only)
All students applying for a Master’s programme with a non-Dutch degree must pay a non-refundable application fee of €100. The UvA cannot start processing your application until this fee has been paid. You can pay the application fee by credit card (Master or Visacard) or iDEAL.
You do not have to pay the application fee:
- If you have obtained or will obtain a Bachelor’s degree from a Dutch research university or university of applied sciences (HBO);
- If you have the Dutch or Surinamese nationality;
- If you have already applied and paid the application fee for another Master’s programme at the UvA for the academic year 2024-2025;
- If you have already applied and paid the application fee for a Master's programme at the Graduate School of Humanities for the academic year 2023-2024;
- If you have started a UvA Master’s programme in 2021, 2022 or 2023;
- If you are applying through the Foundation for Refugee Students (UAF) and/or have an official refugee status in the Netherlands (as stated on your residence permit).
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4. Submit your UvA application form
After enrolling in Studielink, you will automatically receive an email with a link to your MyInfo UvA application form. To log in to MyInfo you need your UvAnetID. Please fill out the application form, upload the required documents and submit your MyInfo application form before the application deadline.
Application documents
Make sure you are well prepared before you start your application, and you have all necessary documents ready. You are asked to upload the following documents:
- curriculum vitae;
- proof of language proficiency (if required, see language requirements);
- transcript of records, up-to-date and issued by your home institution (if you are already a student at the UvA, a screenshot from SIS is sufficient);
- diploma (if already obtained)* or list of courses yet to complete;
- translation of your diploma and transcript of records (if they are not in English, Dutch, German or French).
This programme does not require additional programme-specific documents.
*Please note: If you have not yet obtained your diploma but are in possession of all other application documents, you may proceed with your application - as long as you obtain your Bachelor's degree before 1 September. If you have a non-Dutch prior education, please bear in mind that you must submit your certified documents before 1 August.
After submitting your application
Once we have received your complete application, it will be evaluated by our Admissions Board. This programme offers rolling admissions, meaning you will receive an admission decision within 10 to 12 weeks. It is therefore advisable to complete your application well before the deadline.
If you are admitted to the programme, you will receive a letter of conditional acceptance. In order to proceed with your enrolment, you must accept this offer at your earliest convenience. Read more about the steps you need to take after (conditional) acceptance on the website of the Graduate School of Humanities:
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Can I apply for more than one Master's programme?
Yes, you can apply for up to a maximum of four Master’s programmes. Some Master’s programmes offer different tracks. You may apply for a maximum of two tracks within the same Master's. If you wish to do so, you can select a second track in the MyInfo application form. Note that we will start by processing the track of your first choice. Only if you are not conditionally admitted to your first track will we continue to process your second track. If you are conditionally admitted to your first track, your application to the second track will be cancelled.
Please note that it is not possible to choose a selective track as your second choice option. If you are interested in a selective track or programme, be sure to put that as your first choice.
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Can I apply before having completed my Bachelor's?
Many applicants to Master's programmes have not finished their previous education when they apply. If this applies to you, then you can upload a transcript of records with the courses and grades obtained so far. Make sure to also include a list of courses from your Bachelor's that you still need to complete. This applies to the scholarship applications as well.